New Westminster police confirm threat to courthouse involved explosive device

Police say a threat that forced the closure of streets and the evacuation of buildings near law courts in New Westminster Tuesday involved an explosive device.

Around 11 a.m., the NWPD announced that a perimeter around the courthouse had been established due to an undisclosed danger. Residents in nearby houses were told to leave immediately, while students at Douglas College were told to vacate the premises. 

By 2:15 p.m., police said the area had been cleared and reopened to the public while providing few details about the nature or source of the threat.

In a statement Wednesday, the NWPD confirmed that crews were responding to “a threat of an explosive device made against the New Westminster courthouse.”

Police say they were made aware of the threat around 10:30 a.m., and BC Sheriffs, Metro Vancouver Transit Police, the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Services, the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team, New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services, and British Columbia Emergency Health Services Paramedics worked to secure the area shortly after.

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NWPD Sgt. Andrew Leaver says the incident has now transitioned to an investigation. 

“Our Major Crime Unit has taken conduct of this investigation. They’ll be working to put together the pieces as to why this happened and who was involved,” Leaver explained.

He declined to provide information about the specifics of the explosive device “or potential explosive device.”

“We treat every threat as real, and until we can determine otherwise, we’ll continue our investigations into these incidents. These are serious incidents. We do take them very seriously, regardless of where they may occur,” said Lever.

He says there is no ongoing threat to public safety.

If you know anything about the incident and have not yet spoken to police, you’re asked to call 604-525-5411.

—With files from Charlie Carey